Blood bank declares blood emergency, ‘chronic gap’ in donations

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — The Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB) has announced a blood emergency due to the long-term effects of the pandemic.

“There’s a nationwide shortage,” said Cheryl Warholoski, Director of Operations. “We currently have only a 3-day supply of blood to offer to more than 20 local hospitals. The long-term impact of the pandemic has meant we’ve had a year of virtually no high school or college first-time donors, and 41% fewer donors between the ages of 17-24.”

In addition to a dramatic drop in donors, NCBB says there has been a surge in blood usage as hospitals begin to perform surgeries that were postponed during the pandemic. Low supply coupled with high demand has created what NCBB has called a “chronic gap” in blood donations.

NCBB is upping its community outreach to encourage people to donate. In fact, all presenting donors in June will be entered in a  drawing for local baseball tickets.

For more information, visit NCBB.org.